The 2013 Cagle’s Family Farm corn maze officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday night. Above: Canton residents Ben and Katlyn Thacker make their way through the labrynth of corn stalks Thursday. Staff/Todd Hull

CANTON — The traditional corn maze at Cagle’s Family Farm in Hickory Flat opened Thursday night for its 13th year in operation, and the family hopes the winding paths and other attractions will make for an “a-maze-ing” time.

With more than three miles of corn-maze paths for visitors to navigate and an old-fashioned hay ride, pig races and more activities, Ben Cagle, who runs the farm, said this year’s festivities will be as entertaining as ever.

Cagle said the maze this year was designed to represent the many aspects of the farm he operates with his wife, Vicki Cagle.

“The pattern this year is our logo; it shows a little bit of what everybody can do on the farm,” Cagle said. “It’s got pumpkins, a tractor, hay ride, cows, pig, a little garden in it.”

The Cagle’s corn maze will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through Nov. 17. On Fridays, visitors can start combing the paths at 5 p.m. and continue until 11 p.m. On Saturdays, the maze is opened from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m., and on Sundays the maze will open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.

The quickest path through the maze can be completed in about 45 minutes, but visitors can spend a lot longer exploring the miles that make up this year’s maze.

Cagle said he and his wife look forward to the corn maze each year, and this year, their corn is top-notch.

“It’s the best corn we’ve had,” Cagle said. “It’s 11-and-a-half feet tall. All the rain has been a good thing for us.”

Besides the cornfield maze, visitors can enjoy a range of farm activities at the farm, Cagle’s Family Farm representative Ansley Glenn said in a news release.

“This fall, farm-goers can bump along on an old-fashioned hayride, bounce on a huge jumpy pillow, cheer on your favorite swine at the pig races, pan for gold, navigate the three miles of cornfield maze paths, pick a pumpkin, chow down on some delish farm food and so much more,” Glenn said.

Farm tours are available Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and hayrides down to a bonfire are offered Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 10 p.m.

From Oct. 4 through Nov. 2, there will be a haunted barn Fridays and Saturdays, from 7 p.m. until midnight.

Admission for the corn maze is $10 plus tax; farm tours are $7 plus tax; bonfire hayrides are also $7 plus tax, and the haunted barn is $12 plus tax.

But there are multiple types of combination tickets, so visitors can choose which attractions they want to participate in ahead of time to save money. An all-access pass, which includes the haunted house, costs $28 plus tax.

Tickets can be purchased at the event or online at www.caglesfam

ilyfarm.eventbrite.com.

The Cagle family has farmed in Cherokee County since the 1930s, and Glenn said this year, the family’s farm offers “a-maze-ing” fun.

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